If Cavs Flounder, James Just Might Fish For A Trade

Behind Door No. 1 is a brilliant move that sets up the organization to win for decades. The other door dooms it to eternal failure.

The Cleveland Cavaliers, who came to Orlando on Monday night and beat the Magic, have come to these two doors. Behind Door No. 1 is LeBron James. That means whatever is behind the other door is irrelevant.

The Cavaliers are on the verge of fouling up things with James, who in two years has become one of the five best players in the league and is already so much of a pop culture icon he made Time magazine's 100 most influential people list this week.

James' camp has reportedly informed the Cavs their star isn't too happy with the team's nosedive since new owner Dan Gilbert went Daniel Snyder -- what is it with owners named Dan? -- and fired coach Paul Silas. If things don't get better and the Cavs aren't serious about winning, James will supposedly force a trade.

James, of course, is playing the dutiful star, but the trade rumors were taken so seriously Las Vegas put out odds on when he'll be traded.

If Gilbert loses James, automatically rank it as the third-dumbest franchise move in pro basketball history. No. 1 belongs to the Magic for losing Shaquille O'Neal and No. 2 belongs to the Los Angeles Lakers for trading him.

James' discourse with the Cavs is completely understandable. Cleveland went from being a strong No. 4 seed in the playoff race to a bad episode of The Young and the Restless.

If James had to decide today about his future with the Cavs, he'd be gone. This discombobulated team is hanging on to a playoff berth by its fingertips. Why would James tolerate playoff-less seasons in Cleveland when he could go to a major market and become an even bigger star than he already is?

Shaking things up is one thing, but pushing James away is just plain dumb on Gilbert's part. It's not like James is crying about more shots or money. He just wants to win. If Gilbert trades James, he might as well throw the $375 million he invested in the Cavs into Lake Erie.

To King James' credit, he's shown incredible restraint during this mess, even though he's earned the right to be publicly upset.

"I just try to keep positive," James said. "Stay level-headed. A lot of things have been going on, but I have to be here for my teammates. You can't show them you're frustrated, especially because I'm the leader of this team."

James hates being compared to Michael Jordan, but he's as image-conscious as Jordan was. At 20, James knows petulancy -- even in the name of winning --- can be misconstrued. James doesn't want a copy of Kobe Bryant's "Ruining A Team for Dummies," or Magic Johnson's "How to Lose A Coach in Ten Days."

James is wisely watching the Cavs' every move. He has all the leverage in this situation because Gilbert doesn't want to be the owner who chased away the guy who might finish his career as the best to ever play the game.

"The fans of Cleveland have nothing to worry about right now," James said. "I'm happy being in Cleveland."

So Cleveland is officially on the clock, giving Gilbert two years to pull things together. If Jim Paxson is fired, as most expect, Gilbert better hire a general manager who is serious about building a champion. Next, lure Flip Saunders or Phil Jackson to coach -- no matter the cost. Finally, shut up and watch James fill the trophy case and his wallet.